By Daniel Etchells

Daedo will supply the protector and scoring system at Rio 2016 ©DaedoDaedo will supply the protector and scoring system (PSS) at next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after being chosen ahead of fellow approved brand KP&P, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) has announced


Swiss Timing, the umbrella firm for worldwide Olympic partner Omega, reached a decision after numerous tests and meetings, which will also see the British-based arm of Daedo act as the PSS provider for five continental qualification tournaments leading up to next year's Olympic Games.


In addition, it has been confirmed that Daedo will provide for this year's World Taekwondo Championships in Chelyabinsk, due to take place rom May 12 to 18, as well as the Grand Prix Series event in Samsun, Turkey from September 18 to 20, and the Grand Prix Series final in Mexico City from December 4 to 5.


Despite missing out on Rio 2016, KP&P has been named the provider for the Grand Prix Series events in Moscow from August 14 to 16 and Manchester from October 15 to 17, as well as the World Cadet Championships in Muju, South Korea, from August 23 to 26 and the World Junior Championships on dates still to be announced.


The introduction of PSS at London 2012 signalled a move away from subjective decision making towards a more objective and inclusive system, not solely relying on the opinions of a select few officials.


It is thus a key step in the continuing modernisation of the sport, it is claimed. 


The protector and scoring system was introduced at London 2012 ©Getty ImagesThe protector and scoring system was introduced at London 2012 ©Getty Images


The system, which consists of body armour fitted with electronic body protector sensors that register kicks and punches if applied with sufficient force, was further developed to incorporate the use of head-gear and was first used in its revised form at the Manchester leg of the WTF Grand Prix Series in October.


Prior to its introduction, taekwondo's place at the Olympics had been under threat following heavy criticism after Beijing 2008, when one incident in particular highlighted problems.


At the end of a women's under 67 kilograms quarter-final, home fighter Chen Zhong was declared winner against Great Britain's Sarah Stevenson before British officials protested, claiming referees missed a scoring kick by Stevenson, which was supported by video footage.


Chen's victory was rescinded and Stevenson advanced to the semi-final, marking the first time in Olympic taekwondo history that a result had been changed.

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